Bauhinia galpinii

Bauhinia galpinii is a species of shrub in the family Fabaceae. It is endemic to parts of eastern and southern Africa, where its popular name is "Pride of De Kaap". In other places however, it is variously known as Orchid Tree, Red Bauhinia, Nasturtium Bauhinia, African Plume, Red Orchid Bush, and by other informal names. The species name commemorates E. E. Galpin.

Bauhinia galpinii
Bauhinia galpinii flowers
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Rosids
Order:
Fabales
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Bauhinia
Species:
Bauhinia galpinii
Binomial name
Bauhinia galpinii
Synonyms
  • Perlebia galpinii (N.E.Br.) A.Schmitz, Bauhinia punctata sensu Bolle[1]

Foliage and flowers

The leaves are bilobed, each having a symmetrical pair of rounded lobes joined symmetrically about a midrib, with a small, soft mucronule in the notch at the tip. The resulting shape gave rise to the Afrikaans popular name "kameelpoot", meaning "camel's foot". The mucronule is fragile and frequently is missing as a result of minor damage. The flowers in the wild generally are a handsome brick red, but some cultivars have pink or orange-red flowers.

Habit

The plant is evergreen, with its main growing season in summer. It usually takes the form of a dense, sprawling shrub of up to some 3 m (9.8 ft) high, but under some conditions, such as in undergrowth, may reach double that height.[2]

Ecology and uses

Its flowers are of value to pollinators, including birds, and the sheltering shrubby habit renders it popular as a nesting site for small birds. Sheep and goats can safely browse the leaves and twigs.[3]

Cultivation

The species is widely cultivated as a fairly drought-hardy, non-xerophytic ornamental in the warm zones of the United States and Mexico where it has escaped cultivation and naturalised in some locations, but without any significant tendency towards invasiveness.

  • details of flower
  • foliage details: lobes and mucronules
  • Flower of Bauhinia galpinii
  • Flower of Bauhinia galpinii

References
  1. "Bauhinia galpinii N.E.Br". The Plant List (2010). Version 1. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  2. Braam van Wyk; Piet Van Wyk (July 2007). How to Identify Trees in Southern Africa. Struik. pp. 128–. ISBN 978-1-77007-240-4. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
  3. Watt, John Mitchell; Breyer-Brandwijk, Maria Gerdina: The Medicinal and Poisonous Plants of Southern and Eastern Africa 2nd ed Pub. E & S Livingstone 1962
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